I Love My Life Singapore

Floristry is a term that’s used to describe the professional flower trade, and covers all its aspects, from the cultivation of flowers to their arrangement and delivery, and even the selling of said flowers. As an aspiring wedding florist who’s just starting out on the job, it’s important for you to know that floristry isn’t as glamorous as you would want it to seem.

Wedding floristry is particularly time-sensitive. Your products have a limited shelf life, which means that everything has to be timed to bring out the best quality in every arrangement for every client. With each occasion comes a different need and a different theme, so different flowers will be used each time.

As many professional florists will tell you, this line of work is not all roses and daisies. The only lull you get from all those early mornings and long shifts are the quiet times – but if you’re not intimidated yet, then arranging floral decor might just be for you.

Training and Education
Though formal education sure helps (a lot of florists in Singapore prior to setting up shop have taken up at least a class or two), the best way to getting started is on-the-job experience via apprenticeship.

Experienced florists are the best people to teach you all about different flowers, how to take care of them, and how to arrange them. Besides, nothing screens applicants faster than witnessing the ins and outs of the industry firsthand.

Skill Set
There are a particular set of Singapore https://www.moodfleur.com/wedding-florist/ skills that you need before getting into the industry, and if you don’t have them yet, they will be developed on a touch-and-go basis. These are some of the skills that any florist should have:

• Artistic Ability – You can’t be a wedding florist if you don’t have an eye for color, design, and symmetry. Being able to choose and arrange wedding flowers for floral decor means that you should have this strong sense of style.

• Creativity – It certainly helps that you have this skill, though artistic ability can be taught to anyone given enough time and patience. Using this skill well opens you to unique designs for wedding flowers that your client will love.

• Time Management – Being a wedding florist is a tough job that needs you to meet deadlines consistently. No one wants to hire a wedding florist who can’t get the floral decor done on time for the occasion.

• Attention to Detail – You need to have a good memory to be a florist, especially when you’re eyeing on running your own flower shop. One wrong order makes for an extremely dissatisfied customer and the loss of potential clients in the future.

• Effective Communication – When you’re a florist, you’re constantly interacting with customers and suppliers, so it’s important to know exactly how to get your message across to make sure that the order for the bridal bouquet is gotten correctly.

• Empathy – Wedding floristry is particularly sensitive, because the clients who request them are dealing with significant moments in their lives. These clients may be experiencing some hard emotional times in their life, and you need to be sensitive and understand them.

Some Tips for Making a Profit
When starting a business, it’s important to consider the factors that go in it, particularly the kind of products available, the sales, and more importantly, the permits that are needed. Follow these tips to get you started.

1. Consider the renting space. Rent is high in Singapore no matter where you look, so be sure to set aside a good portion of the budge for this. When you look for a space to start your flower shop, be sure that it has good foot traffic and people will notice you. If you’re planning on a home-based business,

2. Be selective when it comes to giving out free services. It’s a good idea to offer these kinds of services when you’re starting out as a way to promote your floral decor business, but don’t overdo it. As much as possible, charge for everything – especially the labor. This includes the wedding flowers, the containers that they come in, floral foam, glue, tape, and even the shipping.

You can be smart when doing pro bono by offering it as a bonus when your client goes for a big purchase. For instance, if they purchase about fifty or a hundred floral decor arrangements from you, you could throw in the bridal bouquet or the wedding car decor as a bonus.

3. Know where to shop for supplies. Always keep a list of at least five suppliers for your flowers and other supplies. Having a favorite is good, but it certainly helps to have a back-up choice just in case carnations or that piece of foliage for the bridal bouquet or the wedding car decor is not available in your favorite supplier.

Because you’re a wedding florist, be sure to order early! Keep in mind that in Singapore, not all flowers are available all year round. Peonies, for instance, can only grow in a specific climate and a specific temperature, and are usually shipped in from other countries.

Giving your suppliers enough time for your products to arrive will make you appear as a good customer, which increases your chances of getting better deals for your flowers.

4. Have more than just flowers to sell
Even simple items to complement the decor like candles and sweets can rake in some extra income without too much hassle. If you have a knack for making knick-knacks like these, add them to your display for a little boost in sales.

You can also contact local artists in your area and see if they would like to showcase some of their works. That way, you can get some added traffic to your store, and they would have the place to show their works.

Ever looked at your face in the morning only to find those swollen dark circles under your eyes? Puffy eyes are quite harmless but they can reveal something about your health and lifestyle.

What causes puffy eyes?
Puffy eyes are sometimes referred to as eye bags. These are the swollen and dark circles under the eyes (and even the eyelids) caused by an accumulation of fluids in the tissues around the eyes.

The accumulation of fluids or edema is caused by several factors such as sinus problems and allergies, crying, dryness, alcohol, dehydration, lack of sleep, aging, bloating during the monthly cycle and too much salt in the body. It could also be inherited. They’re more noticeable when we wake up because we don’t blink while we sleep.

Puffy eyes may be accompanied by other symptoms such as itching or burning, redness, and changes in vision.

Should they cause alarm?
Puffy eyes usually go away after a while but it could also happen suddenly for no obvious reasons. If the symptoms include fever, headache, difficulty breathing, more swollen areas of the face and neck, nausea and vomiting, then you should go to a doctor.

Eye infections also cause the eyelids and the surrounding area to swell. Blepharitis is the swelling of the eyelids and the base of the eyelashes sometimes caused by bacteria. If you suspect that you have an eye infection like pink eye or the puffiness has been consistent and accompanied by other other symptoms, visit your ophthalmologist.

How to get rid of them?
Puffy eyes don’t cause significant problems but if you’re worried about your looks there are cosmetic options you can try. There are temporary solutions like skin products and make-up to hide eye bags. You can also reduce the swelling by using eye drops for irritated eyes or place ice compress, cool tea bags or cucumber slices on your closed eyelids or washing your face with cold water. Try to reduce your salt intake and drink more water to keep hydrated. It will also help if you get enough sleep everyday. Not only will that reduce puffiness but improve your looks overall.

Be careful about using eye creams and eye drops. Use them only when you know what’s causing the puffiness. Avoid hemorrhoid creams because the risks are greater than the benefits. There are creams with aloe that help reduce swelling.

If the puffiness is caused by aging, you can try skin resurfacing, blepharosplasty or eyelid surgery, and chemical peels.

How to avoid puffiness?
Don’t rub your eyes when they’re itchy because that will cause irritation. You should avoid irritants and too much physical contact around your eyes.

Get enough sleep everyday, drink plenty of water and avoid alcohol. Reduce the salt in your diet too.

If you have allergies, avoid triggers and use doctor-prescribed antihistamines.

Perhaps among the easiest entry-level video games to learn is racing. The objective is simple, finish first in the shortest time possible. Here are the best of the genre.

Crazy Taxi
The player drives a taxi and picks up customers to deliver to different destinations within the shortest possible time. If the customer liked the stunts too, you will earn more.

R.C. Pro-Am
The player controls a radio-controlled car. The player can also use weapons against other competitors.

Sega Rally
Test your skills in this racing series by driving on different surfaces like mud, asphalt and gravel.

Out Run
The player controls either a Testarossa or a Ferrari while avoiding traffic.

Midnight Club
This series of racing games focus on amateur street racing. In the first game, the player begins with a slower and unmodified car.

Blur
The game combines both real-world vehicles and locations with studio-made cars. In the career mode, the player has to gain fan points by performing stunts during the race.

Burnout Paradise
Racing plus open world? Burnout Paradise isn’t just about finishing first in a race, you can do other things too like crashing your car to gain points.

Forza Series
The first game, Forza Motorsport, was released in 2005 and gave players a choice from nine types of cars that emulated real cars in both looks and performance.

Super Mario Kart
Race with your go-kart and gain power-ups by controlling one of the eight Mario characters in one of the bestselling SNES titles of all time.

Need for Speed
Its first installment was released in 1994. The objective is to unlock more cars and racing locations, the player has to win a series of races.

Gran Turismo
This PlayStation-exclusive series have licensed virtual reproductions of real vehicles. It is praised for its real and accurate driving simulation.

Colin McRae Rally or Dirt
Named after the rally champion Colin McRae, the objective of the first game was to win the rallies modeled after the 1998 World Rally Championship season.

Wipeout Series
The games are noted for their futuristic setting in anti-gravity tracks. The player’s ship comes with its special features and attributes.

Tourist Trophy: The Real Riding Simulator
This is part of the Gran Turismo Series but focuses on motorcycles instead of cars. The bikes can be modified and there are modes for specific skills in bike handling.

Touring Car Championship
TOCA is a series of racing games that feature real licensed racing cars and motorcycles.

Super Off Road
If you like working hard for items and money, this off-road truck game requires the player to finish each race twice to earn money and upgrades.

A positive diagnosis on your anonymous HIV test can undoubtedly turn your life upside down. While it means you are bound to live your life in an entirely different way than the one you have been used to, it doesn’t mean the end of your living days. Some people assume their days are numbered once they acquired HIV, but the truth is, there are many HIV-infected individuals who get to live the average life expectancy.

The key to living normally with HIV? Adapting a healthy lifestyle. It might not be absolutely the same with how most people live their lives, since you are required to be on medications for the rest of your life, but it can be the closest thing to living normally. Getting diagnosed with the virus generally entails your immune system is being compromised. Therefore, you need to be more cautious in every decision you’ll make since you’re now more vulnerable to diseases and infections.

Since 2008, the number of HIV-positive patients in Singapore has remained pretty consistent at about 450 new cases annually. In fact, the Ministry of Health has published an official report on June 2016 declaring that there were about 455 new cases of HIV found among residents during the past year.

While the diagnosis of HIV by www.kensingtonfamilyclinic.com/std-hiv/hiv-testing in Singapore doesn’t have to mark the end of your life, you might as well adapt some ideal lifestyle measures to ensure the improvement of your health and quality of life.

1. Eat healthily

Eating more greens and whole foods can help you stay healthy despite your infection. Furthermore, the essential vitamins and nutrients found in healthy food can slow down the progression of the virus into full-blown AIDS, which is a far more complicated and deadly disease. Adapting a balanced diet can also prevent health-related complications brought about by malnutrition.

An ideal diet for someone who is living with HIV should be rich in protein, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and a generous amount of fruits and vegetables. It is also ideal to incorporate multivitamins in your diet; in particular, you’ll need more zinc and vitamin B12 in your system. If you get a positive result on your HIV testing session, limit your consumption of sugary drinks and deep-fried food immediately.

2. Adapt a stress-free lifestyle

It is inevitable to feel overwhelmed if you tested positive on a HIV screening session. While there is an emotional and physical baggage attached to this diagnosis, stressing yourself will only suppress your already-compromised immune system even more. This can contribute to the rapid progress of the virus into its later stages. It is then encouraged for you to learn how to stay away from stress effectively.

While we all have different coping mechanisms when it comes to getting rid of stress, there are healthy habits we can adapt that will make us feel better eventually. Some of them involve getting an adequate amount of rest and practicing meditation or yoga.

3. Exercise moderately

Exercise brings a lot of benefits to the body, especially to people who are living with HIV. Being physically active for at least three to six times per week can significantly improve mood levels and your general outlook in life. By giving your muscles proper stretching from time to time, you can contribute to the overall improvement of your quality of life.

Having moderate exercise also combats unhealthy HIV symptoms such as lack of appetite and nerve pain. When done regularly, it also effectively reduces the risk of landing other chronic diseases like heart disease, osteoporosis, and diabetes.

4. Practice safe sex

Getting diagnosed as HIV-positive after you undergo HIV testing doesn’t mean you are absolutely obliged to say goodbye to your sex life. However, it is imperative for you to start practicing safe sex as sexual transmission can spread the virus from one person to another. Should you engage in any sexual activity, always use a new latex condom or other latex barriers.

Not only will this protect your partner from acquiring HIV, but it will also protect yourself from getting infected with other sexually transmitted diseases that may only worsen your health. However, it is also important to note that some STDs like genital warts and herpes can still be passed through direct skin-to-skin contact during sex. Your remaining defense in cases like these is vigilance and caution.

5. Get tested for other STDs

It is likely possible for HIV-diagnosed patients to test positive with other sexually transmitted diseases. Common examples of these STDs include gonorrhea, genital herpes, and hepatitis B and C. Some of these cases do not have explicit symptoms, hence you might not be aware of them until the infection has already advanced.

It is encouraged for you to get yourself tested regularly in order to be aware of any potential STDs you may possess to avoid ending in unfortunate situations like such.

6. Stay away from illegal drugs

While there are prescribed drugs in form of medicines that you are urged to take on a daily dose, any person with HIV must refrain from using illegal drugs such as heroin and cocaine. The thing is, transmission of these drugs usually involves the use of needles. Sharing needles with other people when injecting these drugs into the body is one way to potentially acquire Hepatitis. Aside from that, it may also speed up the progress of the virus into full-blown AIDS.

Being diagnosed with HIV heightens the need to adapt some ideal lifestyle measures, or even change the way you live your life altogether. With your immune system unable to give you the protection you need to effectively ward off diseases and illnesses, you have to take more effort reduce HIV symptoms and improve your health. You can achieve this through adapting lifestyle changes such as exercising moderately, eating healthily, and practicing safe sex.

Hamsters are small so they won’t take up a lot of space in your home or maintenance. However, like all living things, they need care and attention. So before getting one from the pet shop ask yourself if you’re ready to give the (small) time, effort, money and commitment required for raising this pet.

Types of Hamsters
Hamsters are rodents, the family where the rats and mice also belong. There are 25 known hamster species, five of which are commonly sold as pets.

1. Syrian hamsters have golden fur and grow up to 7” long. Don’t place more than one Syrian in a cage.
2. Winter whites can grow up to 4 inches long and can have white, grayish brown or whitish gray fur.
3. Campbell Russian hamsters grow up to 4 inches long and have grayish brown fur on their back.
4. Chinese dwarf hamsters have elongated bodies with a gray top and light-colored bottom.
5. Roborovskis have a brownish-yellow color and can live for up to 3 and a half years.

Cage and Bedding
If you plan to get more than one hamster, you should have separate cages for each of them because they like being alone. The minimum cage area for dwarf types should be 30x20x20 inches; for bigger types, it should be 40x20x20 inches. Divide their space into at least two chambers where they can hide and collect stuff.

Do not place their home under direct heat or sunlight or near a draft or in a cold room. Keep the cage away from other pets and children too.

The bedding will give them an area to dig around because that’s what they normally do in nature. The nesting material should be made of Aspen wood shavings, shredded paper or cardboard, meadow hay, or a product called Carefresh. Do not use pine or cedar shavings, sawdust, cat litter, newspapers, fabric, or corn cobs.

Toys
Hamsters love the hamster wheel so it’s a must-have. Make sure that the wheel is large enough so that the hamster can run with a straight back. Don’t buy wheels made of metal wires and have an open running surface and back. The wheel diameter should be greater than 9 inches for the dwarf types and more than 12 inches for big hamsters.

Hygiene
Hamsters don’t bath so provide a small area where they can roll in the sand instead. Clean the cage three or four times a week to avoid accumulation of waste. Clean the bottom of the cage first then replace the shavings. If the hamster stinks, it’s probably due to an illness.

Singapore has seen a surge in the number of people opting to invest in properties thanks to the economic growth the city-state has enjoyed since its independence in 1965. The prices of these properties have soared ever since then, bringing delight to the vast majority of real estate owners and developers.

Nowadays, it is common to hear of people whose financial success was largely based off buying a property at the right time. It is a modern take of the traditional “rags to riches” story we all love, with people generating income from condominiums and other properties they’ve bought in the past for low prices and selling it today for a whooping price of more than a million dollars.

It’s true how financial success can be obtained through investing in property, but it’s no piece of cake nor can you achieve it overnight. You have to start off with a well-crafted business plan of real estate management for Singapore condos that will guide you to the success you’ve been aiming for, as well as ask yourself plenty of questions to help you set and focus your goals in the long run.

1. What is your goal for investing in properties?

Before investing in a property, it is important to pinpoint your goal in order to determine if the rental property is a good fit for you. If you want to be hands on in regards to estate maintenance, ask yourself if you either want to do it as a side job or full-time. The latter might require you to quit your day job in order to allot proper time in the day for property management but weighing the pros and cons of each option beforehand will help you in coming up with a decision.

Nonetheless, holding a bought property for capital appreciation will generate a financial gain each month — which can then become a steady source of income for you.

2. Where will the property be located and how far is it from your current residence?

Take time in deciding how far away you are willing to have the property situated. For instance, you can set limits such as not buying a property that is more than 20 miles away from your current residence. Distance matters a lot especially if you want to personally keep track with the estate maintenance. If certain circumstances prevent you from doing so, you can always hire a condo manager who is nearer to the building to do it for you.

Calculate the costs you’d spend in commuting from your home to the property. This covers train or bus tickets, cost of gas needed, and the opportunity cost relating to travel time spent and potentially lost productivity.

3. How much will it cost?

It is financially wise to figure out how much exactly you’ll need to pay to make the initial investment for a property. You wouldn’t want to end up in a situation where you’d have monetary problems and miscalculations, which is why being financially precise helps. If you do not have the amount on your own, figure out a way for you to generate money for the investment over time.

You also have to anticipate monthly expenses and be realistic in coming to terms with the numbers. This includes monthly maintenance fees, taxes, mortgage payment, and insurance. If you opt to hire outside help such as a managing agent, then include the pay in the list as well. It is also ideal for you to anticipate how much your monthly income will be so you can rightfully decide how much can you charge for rent.

4. How will you manage the property?

Whether you decide to be the landlord yourself or hire a managing agent to do the job for you, it is important to leave your property in good hands. Allot generous time in screening potential candidates so you have plenty to choose from. Weed out the good from the bad in the interview process alone, and since the decision rests entirely upon you, try to choose someone whom you are comfortable entrusting your investments with.

Having a condo manager is a big decision. It is best to do your research and find the ‘right’ manager to work with, as he or she will play a crucial role in the success of your properties in the long run.

5. How do you plan to maintain the property?

Property management requires tending after issues and concerns raised by tenants, such as facilitating repairs and fixing certain parts of the building. If you are no good with tools yourself nor the managing agent, it is essential to discuss it among yourselves your options for hiring outside help to perform routine repairs and other maintenance duties like tending after the yard when it’s time to mow the lawn or shovel snow out of the way.

You might want to check on the list of contractors available in the area, or ask word-of-mouth recommendations from neighbors if they know someone fit to do the job.

6. Do you have a back-up plan?

Having a back-up plan in case your investment fails is not necessarily being negative about your future prospects. If anything, it is wise and practical. We never know what could happen to the real estate and property development market, hence having an exit strategy at the ready is better than having nothing at all. It is also encouraged by many to always come prepared in venturing into this field of business.

It is actually possible to achieve financial success in rental property investment, so long as you put your due efforts in the process as well. It is also wise to ask yourself the important questions first before venturing into the business. This will offer you insights of what you may expect, as well as give you a perspective on how to deal with property management.

Doing your job perfectly isn’t the only thing you should worry about. You’ll be spending at least one-third of your day nearly everyday at the office so there are other things you should also consider.

Observe Cleanliness
You can sometimes see the person’s state of mind by looking at his/her items. Don’t just make an impression with your clothes, but let everyone see that you’re in control of your life. Remove that clutter on your desk and buy an organizer for your papers. Make it a habit to spend at least a few minutes to tidy up your desk before you leave.

Organized and Systematic
Write a to-do list so you don’t lose track of your progress. Finish urgent tasks first. Plan ahead so you don’t have to rush things to get things done. When you’re not in control of your job, you’re more likely to make mistakes.

Efficient and Fast
Don’t be afraid of deadlines and failure. A task has to be completed at some point. Avoid panic by starting early and complaining less. No job is easy. If you’re new to the task, establish a routine that will make things easier for you.

Communicate
If you think there is a better way at doing things, don’t hesitate to bring it up. But if you find the task too difficult, don’t be afraid to ask for help either. If you have conflicting ideas, talk it over with everyone on the team until you find a solution that will make everyone happy.

Teamwork
Maybe you’re the model employee in your department but remember that you’re just part of a team. Respect your co-workers and acknowledge their efforts too. It’s also easier to work with other people if you understand that each one has his/her role to play.

Active Learner
When your work becomes a routine, it’s easy to become lazy and complacent. Monotony leads to boredom and boredom to lesser motivation. Find new ideas that you can learn at work. You can also observe other jobs in the office that you’re not familiar with.

Clear Goals
Set goals not just for the future but short-term goals as well. This may be in the form of daily tasks that you wish to complete within the day. If you think things have become too easy because of routine, set the bar higher to challenge yourself.

Avoid Gossip
It’s natural for people in general to talk about other people’s lives. But highlighting other people’s misfortunes creates a negative working environment. Ignore rumors that can damage other people’s reputation.

Pareto Principle
This principle states that 80% of the results come from 20% of the causes. In business, you should apply it by focusing on customer satisfaction so that there will be fewer complaints. Identify your strengths as an employee and hone your skills. If you do your part well, then you and your company will profit more.

When you’re planning to set up a food business, you need to consider investing in durable and efficient kitchen equipment. All the meals can be prepared in a sanitary and orderly manner and your staff could perform at their best when you know you have the best tools in the trade.

Here are all the essential commercial kitchen equipment your food business needs.

Refrigerator or Freezer

The refrigeration system will help preserve food and ingredients for a long time. The size of the refrigerator or freezer will depend on the type of food business you have in mind. Most large restaurants prefer walk-in refrigerators to store more food.

Oven

The industrial oven often comes with the range or stove. You need to have a separate oven, however, if your food business will serve roasted and baked food. This commercial kitchen equipment is called a convection oven, which means that it distributes heat evenly using a fan.

Freezer

Commercial freezers like those from http://www.alpscreative.com/kv/ in Singapore are sometimes separate from refrigerators. The freezer is used to keep ice, frozen food like ice cream, meat and other foodstuff that have to kept in cold storage.

Water Cooler

A water cooler or water dispenser holds clean and cold drinking water for your staff and customers. You can choose from bottled or bottleless water cooler types depending on the needs of your business.

Range

Industrial ranges can be gas or electric, but most restaurateurs prefer the gas range because of the ease of controlling the heat level.

Grills

Restaurants use gas grills for even heat distribution. The size of the grills will depend on the type of food you will serve.

Microwave Oven

Your restaurant should have a heavy duty type of commercial kitchen equipment for durability and space.

Toaster

A commercial conveyor toaster is bigger than the one used at home. It can hold more than four pieces of bread than the pop-up types.

Slow Cooker

A slow cooker is used for heating stews and soups need to be cooked slowly at constant temperature. You can leave the food without having to constantly check the temperature or turn off the heat because you can set the timer.

Mixer

A mixer is an essential equipment for creating dough for cookies, rolls and pizza crusts. There are three types of mixers to choose from, namely; stand, floor and countertop mixers.

Blender

The blender is not only used to make beverages but to puree, mix or emulsify food for salad dressings, sauces and puree ingredients. Ask your kitchen equipment supplier in Singapore about the different sizes of blender you will need in your food business.

Coffee Maker

If you have coffee on your menu, a coffee maker will make preparation much easier. The coffee maker includes warmers and decanters to keep coffee fresh and hot all the time. You can also add more coffee equipment such as commercial espresso maker, coffee grinder, airpot coffee brewer and hot water dispenser if you’re serving a lot of customers.

An electric mixer is indispensable if you’re serving a variety of desserts. Bakers and bread-makers can also use the electric mixer to make whisking, beating, kneading or stirring ingredients faster.

Hand Blender

A hand blender is used for mixing ingredients for soups. It can also be used to make jams and hand-churned ice cream.
Food Processor

A food processor is a specialized type of blender. Just by changing the blades, you can chop or slice various food ingredients from seeds to meat.

Flattop Grill or Plancha

A flattop grill is essential for restaurants in Singapore that have front-of-house cooking. You can cook more food on a flattop grill than a grill and it’s also easier to clean and will cook the food evenly because of its circular heating system.

Prep Tables

Prep tables should always be present in restaurants. This commercial kitchen equipment is made in stainless steel so that it’s easy to clean and can be used for all types of food. Consult your kitchen equipment supplier if you need attached or free-standing prep tables.

Deep-Fryer

A deep fryer will make it easier for the cooks to check and recover the food without spending too much time draining the oil. Choose an electric countertop or floor model depending on your restaurant’s needs. There are also deep fryers with two pots to cook more food at the same time.

Metal and Plastic Shelves

These shelves are used to hold all the kitchen tools and ingredients. These may be wall-mounted, wire shelving, or in the form of security cages.

Ice Machines

Automatic ice machines are a must for bars and restaurants in Singapore that serve alcoholic drinks, cocktails and other drinks.

Cleaning Equipment

A restaurant should be kept clean to avoid pests and the spread of infection. Your kitchen area should have the following: hand soap sanitizer, cleaning rags, cleaning buckets, and rubber floor mats.

Safety Equipment

Most restaurants use open flames, so it’s important to have the appropriate number of fire extinguishers ready. Make sure to follow all the health, sanitation and safety requirements in Singapore to create a healthy working environment.

Plates and Bowls

These aren’t the same plates and bowls you will use to serve food to the customers. You will need plates and bowls to hold ingredients during the preparation in the kitchen.

Transportation Carts and Racks

These are used to hold several plates or bowls of food at the same time for easier transportation. Although a lot of restaurants don’t use carts when serving customers, these can still be used in the kitchen for storage.

Sinks and Faucets

Your restaurant will need several sinks and faucets where the staff can wash ingredients, utensils and their hands. Schedule a consultation with your kitchen designer and kitchen equipment supplier to determine the placement and number of the sinks in the kitchen area.

Car servicing in Singapore follows the same basic procedures and services done on any type of car anywhere in the world. Some car servicing shops, however, provide more specific types of services based on the condition and usage of the car.

Basic Types of Services

The following are only the basic car maintenance, car repair and car workshop services you will encounter the first time you drive into a regular auto shop in Singapore.

• Cleaning the car’s exterior and interior
• Checking the operation of the lights and wipers
• Changing the car’s engine oil
• Tuning the car engine
• Checking the level of the automatic or manual transmission fluid for fast car maintenance in Singapore
• Refilling the automatic or manual transmission fluid
• Checking the level of the power steering fluid
• Refilling the power steering fluid
• Making sure level of the brake fluid or the clutch fluid is enough
• Refilling of the brake fluid or clutch fluid
• Checking the brake pads and liner, brake discs or drums
• Replacement of worn brake pads and liner and brake discs or drums
• Greasing and lubrication of the components
• Inspection of the timing belt or timing chain
• Replacement of the timing belt or timing chain
• Checking the tires
• Replacement of the tires
• Replacement of the oil filter
• Replacement of the fuel filter
• Replacement of the air filter
• Replacement of the spark plugs
• Replacement of the cabin filter
• Checking for error codes in the ECU
• Correcting codes in the ECU

Scheduled Car Servicing

As mentioned above, some car servicing shops are more specific with the types of services they offer. Some of these services may be included in packages such as full car servicing which is needed for cars every 12 months or when the car has traveled a total of 12,000 miles or a bi-annual car servicing, also called interim service, if the car has traveled for a total of 6,000 miles. To determine the type of car servicing you need, consult the car dealer or manufacturer in Singapore where you bought your vehicle. They will recommend an appropriate schedule for car repair, car maintenance and car workshop for you. Others can also take their vehicles to the shops for essential care services that must be done as often as possible to keep the car in good condition.

Essential Car Servicing

The following are the basic car maintenance services that you must perform as much as possible in car servicing shops in Singapore.

• Checking of the car’s horn
• Checking of the gauges, instruments and warning lights
• Checking of the windscreen wipers
• Checking of the exterior lamps and lights
• Checking of the car’s battery
• Checking of the battery wiring
• Visual checking of the brakes
• Testing the engine and the electrics, such as the battery, starter motor and alternator
• Replacement of the engine oil and filter
• Replacement or checking of the windscreen washer fluid
• Checking of all fluid levels
• Checking or replacement of suspension dampers
• Cleaning the air filter
• Checking or replacement of spark plugs
• Checking of the clutch cable freeplay
• Checking or replacement of the cambelt
• Checking or replacement of the brake pads, shoes, pipes and lines

Car Servicing Every 6 Months

The following are services performed during an interim service recommended every 6 months. Car servicing in Singapore will also recommend this for cars that have traveled a total of 6,000 miles or more.

• Vehicle road testing
• Replacement of engine oil and filter
• Checking or replacement of the windscreen washer fluid
• Visual check of the brakes
• Checking of the battery
• Checking of the battery wiring
• Testing all electrics, such as starter motor, battery and alternator
• Checking the condition and level of the coolant
• Checking the brake fluid
• Checking of the bonnet catch operation
• Checking of the brake noses and pipes
• Inspection of TPMS
• Checking of the suspension, including the checking of shock absorbers and springs
• A full tire inspection including the pressure, alignment and tread
• Checking of the steering, suspension linkages and ball joints
• Checking of the exterior lamps and lights
• Checking of the doors
• Checking of boots
• Checking of the fuel cap
• Checking of the engine diagnostic codes
• Checking of the air conditioner system
• Resetting the service light
• Checking of the seat belts
• Checking the clutch operation in manual cars
• Checking of interior lights
• Checking of the windscreen wipers
• Checking of the warning lights
• Checking of the horn
• Checking of the gauges and instruments

Car Servicing Every 12 Months

Car servicing should be done at least once a year to keep the car in the best condition possible. Here are the services that should be rendered.

• Vehicle road testing
• Replacement of fuel filter (only for diesel cars)
• Replacement of the air filter
• Full brake inspection
• Checking of the fuel pipes
• Checking of the engine, transmission and rear axle
• Checking of the drive shaft joints and gaiters
• Checking of the exhaust system and mountings
• Checking of the power steering fluid and top up if needed
• Checking of the auxiliary drive belt
• Checking of the radiator and coolant hoses
• Checking of the car mirrors
• Replacement of engine oil and filter
• Checking or replacement of the windscreen washer fluid
• Checking of the battery
• Checking of the battery wiring
• Testing all electrics such as starter motor, battery and alternator
• Checking the condition and level of the coolant
• Checking the brake fluid
• Checking of the bonnet catch operation
• Checking of the brake noses and pipes
• Inspection of TPMS
• Checking of the suspension including the checking of shock absorbers and springs
• A full tire inspection including the pressure, alignment and tread
• Checking of the steering, suspension linkages and ball joints
• Checking of the exterior lamps and lights
• Checking of the doors
• Checking of boots
• Checking of the fuel cap
• Checking of the engine diagnostic codes
• Checking of the air conditioner system
• Resetting the service light
• Checking of the seat belts
• Checking the clutch operation in manual cars
• Checking of interior lights
• Checking of the windscreen wipers
• Checking of the warning lights
• Checking of the horn
• Checking of the gauges and instruments

There are so many books for children out there that it can be confusing, even for parents who also love to read. You can’t just give your child the first book with cartoons that you can find. Here are things you need to remember.

1. Let the kid choose the book. The easiest would be to let the child pick the book. Take them to the library or the bookshops. This could also be a great bonding time for parent and child and will let you determine what type of book the child loves. Next time you’ll know which book to pick for him. Some bookstores have reading areas for kids. This could also be a great way to socialize and make friends.

2. Pick age-appropriate books. Some children’s books have labels on the cover. Buy picture books for infants and toddlers. The book should be durable and easy to clean. Preschoolers like repetition. If you’re not sure about the content, read the first two pages and consider if your child might be able to understand the text. Research authors who have been writing children’s books for years but don’t snub other titles if they seem interesting.

3. Pick favorite subjects. It will be easier to catch the child’s attention if the topic interests him. Toddlers and infants love to look at colors and shapes. If they’re slightly older they will want books that have rhyming texts with pictures. They like texts that are easy to read aloud, sing along or memorize. Preschoolers usually like stories about adventures that stimulate their imagination or everyday routine that are familiar to them.

4. Consider the kid’s reading skills. Some kids who are already exposed to a lot of books might want something different from the usual titles they read. Monitor the materials your kid reads, but do not interfere with his choices unless you think the subject is inappropriate for his age.

5. Choose from different genres. Don’t tell your child not to read certain genres. If he doesn’t enjoy the classics, why force the kid to read them? Expand your children’s choices by exposing him to different children’s writers and genres. Don’t stick to books with familiar characters or those that already have television and film adaptations.

6. Don’t be picky yourself. Remember that you’re supposed to encourage your child to love reading. Most kids don’t enjoy the activity because they could not find books that they like. Give them the freedom to choose. If they like comics, that’s fine. If they want to read on e-readers, let them.

7. Be good role models to your child. If they see you enjoy reading, they might pick up the habit. If they see your collection of books, they might get curious enough to check one of the volumes. You can read the stories to them so you can also answer their questions.